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In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday explicitly told the political parties and its senior leaders that it was not afraid of them and would not be cowed down by their insinuations.
"The Commission is a body set up under the Constitution, which has given it the power to discharge its duty boldly, fairly, squarely and impartially. EC has never flinched from performing its duties."
"Therefore, the EC is not afraid of anyone - any political party or entity - in discharging its duties," said Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, flanked by Commissioners H S Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, besides other senior officers.
Sampath said the recent attacks from party spokespersons and senior leaders, which had now crossed the threshold, had forced the poll panel to send them a message through the media.
The Commission, though Sampath didn't name any political party or leader, is miffed by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders' attacks over the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi not being given permission to hold a rally in Varanasi's Beniabagh locality over security issues.
In the past, too, Modi had dared the Commission to take action against him over his controversial speeches. Modi has also alleged that polling in the past three phases - on May 7, April 30, and April 24 - was not free and fair.
Sampath said senior leaders should show greater maturity while dealing with constitutional bodies. "We deplore any allegation against a constitutional body like EC. We are vigilant and are concerned about our duties. There shall never be an occasion where EC will deviate from its neutrality. We dismiss these sweeping allegations," Sampath added. "Casting aspersion against constitutional bodies will result in long-term damage to neutrality and independence of the Commission".
Some officials in the poll panel said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley's remarks that "timid men can dwarf high offices" had upset the Commission members the most. EC turned down BJP's request to transfer the returning officer of Varanasi and backed him for his professional decision of not giving certain permissions. The Commission, however, added a rider, saying it had received more complaints against the officer and would take non-partisan action on completion of its inquiry.
Since the beginning of the elections on April 7, the commission has not shied away from ordering strong actions against political leaders. It had directed state administrations to lodge criminal cases against many, including Modi, and barred others from meeting the public.
The commission had first signalled it was going to take the bull by its horns when it forced West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to comply with its directions and barred star campaigners from electioneering in many areas.
